As the City Council convenes its first full meeting of 2024 today, all eyes are on whether this year will be less chaotic than last.

Why it matters: Mayor Brandon Johnson and the council promised a more transparent and democratic government but instead brought backroom infighting and bad manners into plain view.

Catch up fast: Johnson's floor leader, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, physically bullied colleagues to stop the council on a sanctuary city vote late last year.

• Divided council members then needed a tie-breaker vote from the mayor to avoid censuring their colleague.
• And that was after a wild and raucous council meeting the likes of which we haven't seen since the Council Wars of the 1980s.

How it used to work: Former mayors like Richard M. Daley and Rahm Emanuel presided over rubber-stamp councils that included less drama, where most deals were done behind closed doors. Everything ran through the mayor or the Council's floor leader.

• Ald. Ed Burke, known as dean of the council, was a steadying force. (He retired in 2023 before being convicted of corruption.)

What's happening now: This council features 13 new faces, after a record number of alders chose not to run for reelection in 2023.

"I think what's driving the chaos is fear," Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) tells Axios. He blames social media — lawmakers are playing "gotcha games" with each other, knowing they can flip sound bites from the council floor to their feeds.

• "They're doing stupid stuff just to get attention and making ordinances sit back. That ain't gonna help nobody. It affects the whole city in an indirect way, but it affects the whole city."

Another explanation: "We haven't been in government long enough to know how government really runs," as Ald. Jeannette Taylor (20th) recently said about her fellow progressives.

Reality check: This isn't the first time in council history when chaos reigned. We've seen hostile takeovers, desk-jumping and mic-muting.

• "Mayor Richard J. Daley asked the sergeant of arms to silence me on a number of occasions," says former Ald. Dick Simpson, who served the 44th ward from 1971-79. "I think the 'Council War' era (1980s) was much worse, and the city came to the edge of bankruptcy several times."

The big picture: Major challenges face the council, including a growing migrant crisis and balancing next year's budget.

What we're watching: "It's just growing pains," Burnett tells Axios. "It's growing pains for the new alderman and for the old ones who never had power before."

Share this story

Our office vacancy rate in the fourth quarter of last year was 18%, just under the overall U.S. rate of 19.6%.

Between the lines: There was no change from the same period in 2022.

The big picture: Office vacancies hit a record peak nationally last year, Axios' Emily Peck reports.

👋 Hey, it's Monica.

Restaurant traffic may slow down in January, but openings sure haven't.

• Here are some new spots I recently hit, and others that could be worthy of a visit.

🇵🇱 Pierogi Kitchen: The Polish American owners of Wicker Park's Firewood BBQ have transformed the place into a dumpling emporium, while sticking to its roots with juicy house-smoked kielbasa and rib-sticking brisket pierogi.

🍔 Ramova Grill: This side project to Brigdeport's resurrected Ramova Theatre offers an homage to the old Ramova Grill with new twists on meatloaf, pot pies and burgers.

• We recently dug into some crisp, duck fat corn dogs on a stick and some hearty chili.

🧈 Honey Butter Fried Chicken: The beloved Avondale chicken spot hatched a sister location in downtown Glencoe this month.

• You'll find the usual corn muffins, honey butter and fried delicacies along with a brand new charbroiled chicken option.
• Expect seasonal slushies (boozy or not) and local beers, along with pie from Bang Bang for dessert.

🇹🇭 Jareun Krung: Lincoln Park's old Cafe Bernard and Chez Moi building has become an upscale Thai eatery with a long elegant granite bar, Asian-themed cocktails and regional specialties.

• I loved the fragrant and fiery green curry. On my radar for next time: the signature braised beef massaman curry and kua kling ground chicken with lemongrass.

More new spots

A Northwestern law student says she's been seeking help from members of Congress in getting two American cousins out of Gaza. (WGN)

💰 Alds. Bill Conway and Scott Waguespack are floating a proposed ordinance that would require City Council approval on COVID expenditures over $1 million. (Sun-Times)

🗳 State Rep. Kam Buckner suggests Chicago back out of hosting the DNC unless the city gets more federal housing money. (Tribune)

🍲 New Village Gastro Pub in Northbrook and Habibi In Mediterranean Grill in Evanston have landed on Yelp's Top 100 U.S. restaurants of 2024. (Yelp)

📅 Upcoming events around the city.

Architecture & Design Film Festival at the Chicago Architecture Center Jan. 31 - Feb. 4: Experience 20 inspiring stories of architecture and design at the Chicago Architecture Center's temporary cineplex. Discover creative vision, design innovation, and human relationships embodied in architecture from around the world.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

This Valentine's Day, really say "I hate you" by putting your ex's name at a major Chicago-area attraction.

But, wait … that seems like love and admiration.

Reality check: It's not. Your ex's name will be assigned to one of Brookfield Zoo's Madagascar cockroaches.

How it works: For $15, the zoo will give your ex's name (first name only) prime placement on the zoo's Cockroach Naming Board and social feeds on Valentine's Day.

• The zoo is accepting names through Feb. 5.

Share this story

Our tournament to crown the best coach in Chicago history continues today with our Final Four.

🍿 The second round produced two upsets, including:

• George Halas defeating Mike Ditka (53%-47%).
• Scandal-plagued Joel Quenneville dispatching Cubs legend Joe Maddon (56%-44%).

That leaves Phil Jackson, George Halas, Joel Quenneville and Ozzie Guillen as our icons left standing. Vote before 4pm today.